Focus

The state of small business

In its recent survey of small businesses, CNNMoney.com
reveals the sector is continuing
to face acute hardships. More than one-third of small-business owners say their
customers still are not buying freely, and only 14 percent hired more workers this
year than they did in 2012. But nearly two-thirds haven't hired anyone during the
past year.

Bill Dunkelberg, an economist with the National Federation of Independent Businesses
(NFIB), told CNNMoney.com: "Owners are pessimistic
about the future of the economy,
and they're not making any bets customers will come in to generate extra revenue
to pay for these workers."

On June 5, NFIB reported hiring among small businesses is at a standstill9 percent
of those surveyed hired 2.6 workers on average; 12 percent cut about three jobs;
and 79 percent didn't change staff size.

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